Pleated shades, should I tow with them up or down?

I have done both.. leave up on shady side, down on sunny side.

Google how to restring shades. The two strings are the easiest, the 3 or 4 strings can get confusing. But it is doable. I kid and say I have a degree in restringing those blinds. Had a friend who did that as a side job while traveling... (think travel expenses..) but it worked for him.